Box-fastener



{No Model.)

T. H. MACDONALD.

, BOX FASTENER. No. 562,187. Patented June 16,1896.

lnvenzor w-b'znsses.

ANDREW EGRAHAM. PHUTU-UTKQWASHINEHJK DC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS H. MACDONALD, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN GRAPHOPHONE COMPANY, OF WESTVIRGINIA.

BOX-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,137, dated June 16, 1896.

Application filed November 2, 1895- Serial No. 567,727. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LTHoMAs ILMAODONALD, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clasps or Locks, which are fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention has reference to clasps or locks, and particularly to such as are useful in securing the cover or removable part of a casing to the base, in connection with machines or apparatus, such as graphophones, type-writers, &c. Such machines are usually mounted or rest upon the base of an inclosing casing and are adapted to be carried or lifted about by a handle on the cover,the latter being secured to the base by suitable devices or latches. That such devices shall effect a tight closure with facility and security against accidental displacement,which would probably result in damage to the machine, are the objects in view. According to my present invention such objects are attained by a clasp or device of simple construction, comprising two members, a hook and a r0- tatable eccentric having a manipulating and locking arm, said parts being located respectively on the cover and base of the casing. The parts are so disposed that when the hook is thrown over the eccentric and the latter rotated, by means of the arm, it operates to draw the cover tightly down against the base, the arm at the same time being moved to a position such that a projection thereon engages behind the hook and, so long as the parts ,remain in this position, prevents its disengagement from the eccentric. Upon moving the arm in a reverse direction, however, the occentric operates to automatically disengage the hook therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure, 1 is an end elevation showing my invention applied to an inclosing casing. Fig. 2 is a similar but enlarged View showing the parts of the clasp disengaged. Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation; and Fig. 4 is an inside view of the latch, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5

- is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6

is a detail of the eccentric.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the base, and B the top or cover, of an inclosing casing, the cover being provided with a handle b.

ing into an opening in the cover. A screw f,

engaging a threaded opening in stem 6 and a washer f secure plate 6 to the cover. Stem 6 serves as a bearing for the eccentric g, which is sleeved thereon and held in place by a screw g. The eccentric carries or is attached to an arm 9 formed with a shoulder or projection g whereby it can be rotated to the desired position and the hook locked in engagement therewith.

In operation the hook may be freely engaged with the eccentric when the latter is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines, Fig. 1. After this has been effected, the eccentric is rotated by means of arm 9 to. the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, throwing the swell of the eccentric against the hook, drawing the cover B tightly down on the base A, and also bringing the shoulder or projection g to a position behind the hook whereby it prevents accidental disengagement of the hook and eccentric.

To disengage the parts, the eccentric is rotated in a reverse direction to that above described, its action causing the automatic release of the hook.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a clasp or lock, the combination with a pivoted hook, of a rotatable eccentric with which said hook engages, said eccentric being mounted to rotate and the hook to swing in the same plane, an arm on the eccentric and a shoulder or projection on the arm adapted to engage behind and lock the hook into engagement with the eccentric, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS H. MACDONALD.

Witnesses:

CLEMENT MARCH, G. L. HUBBELL. 

